Thursday, July 10, 2014

Derek Holland's knee injury continues to linger for the Texas Rangers. John Henry of the Fort Worth Star Telegram is reporting that "his return to the Rangers likely will not occur until late August or September."
Having not pitched since last season, the Telegram
also reports that "he is expected to make four rehab starts in the
minors," and he will not begin these starts at his targeted date of late
July, which was expected. He will be moved along slowly, similarly to a
pitcher going through an extended Spring Training.

This
is devastating news for a Rangers team that many expected to contend
for a World Series title, but are now floundering at the bottom of the AL West 15 games below the .500 mark with just 38 wins. They are even below the lowly Houston Astros.

In
losing Holland, they are missing a 27-year-old lefty who would have
been a perfect compliment to ace, Yu Darvish. In his absence, they miss
a pitcher who has 49 career victories and has won double digit
victories in each of the past three seasons. They also lose an innings
eater who made 33 starts last year and was able to pitch in 213 innings.